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Friday, November 30, 2012

In August 1843 two companies of the 45th Regiment, 1st Nottingham (Sherwood Foresters), with fifteen engineers and several artillery men marched the 52 miles from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in four days. On arrival they occupied a hill overlooking the town and this site was chosen for the construction of a fort to be named Fort Napier in honour of Sir George Napier, Military Governor and Governor of the Cape.

The officer in charge of the garrison was Major Thomas Charlton Smith who had, with his troops, been besieged at Durban in 1842. In 1843 a military cemetery was laid out: some graves date from 1846. Imperial troops occupied Fort Napier from 1843 to 1914, among them some famous regiments.

If it is evidence you need to fill the gap at Fort Napier, I offer this:
21 September 1868: George William Bathe (GWB) enlisted as private No 1711 in 2nd Battalion, 20th Regiment (East Devonshire) at Pietermaritzburg, Natal.

3 March 1869: letter from GWB 2nd/20th Regt, Fort Napier

21 Nov 1869: letter from GWB 2nd/20th Regt, Fort Napier

2 Aug 1870: letter from Edgell in Natal “I saw Bathe a month since. He has gone with the Regt to the Mauritius.”

21 April 1871: letter from Edgell in Natal “I have heard from Bathe at the Cape.”

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Abel m 15-Sept-1876, 22-Sept-1876, at PMBurg the wife of Mr Edmond Abel of a son
Acutt m 30-June-1876, 4-July-1876, at Trenance Estate, Victoria county, the wife of Mr Courtney Acutt of a son
Adams f 2-June-1876, 6-June-1876 at Hope Villa, Berea, the wife of Mr Stanhope Adams of a daughter
Ailkins f 10-Sept-1876, 22-Sept-1876 at Kimberley Diamond fields, Mrs L A Ailkins of a daughter
Airth f 7-Mar-1876, 14-Mar-1876 at the Point, Mrs Airth of a daughter
Allison f 9-June-1876, 8-Aug-1876 a Upper Tugela the wife of Mr A T Allison of a daughter
Allkins f 2-Feb-1876, 8-Feb-1876 at Ashton Plantation, Umhloti Mrs John Allkins of a daughter
Allsopp m 22-July-1876, 28-July-1876 at the Wesleyan Mission House, Verulam the wife of the Rev J Allsopp of a son
Andrews f 18-July-1876, 18-July-1876 at Petrus Stroom, Upper Umgeni, the wife of Mr James Andrews of a daughter
Andrews m 28-Aug-1876, 5-Sept-1876 at Greytown the wife of Mr G Andrews of a son
Arbuthnot m 30-Mar-1876, 7-April-1876 at Greenwood Home, Alexandra, the wife of TW Arbuthnot of a son
Ash m 14-Jan-1876, 21-Jan-1876 at New Guelderland the wife of W M Ash Esq. Of a son
Balance f 14-Mar-1876, 17-Mar-1876 at Essenwood, Berea, the wife of Mr J D Balance of a daughter
Ballenden m 29-Nov-1876, 8-Dec-1876 at Roseneath, Lower Umkomaas, the wife of Mr C J Ballenden of a son
Barber f 1-Aug-1876, 8-Aug-1876 at the Parsonage Umzinto the wife of Canon Barber of a daughter
Barrett f 6-Oct-1876, 27-Oct-1876 at Middleburg, S A Republic, the wife of Mr B R Barrett of a daughter
Baxter m 3-Feb-1876, 8-Feb-1876 at Durban on the Berea, the wife of Mr James Baxter of a son
Baxter f 18-Sept-1876, 22-Sept-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr Edward Baxter of a daughter
Baytopp m 30-Mar-1876, 7-April-1876 at Equeefa Estate Umzinto, the wife of A Baytopp of a son
Beale f 2-Jan-1876, 4-Jan-1876 at PMBurg, the wife of Mr A Beale (librarian) of a daughter
Becker f 7-June-1876, 9-June-1876 at Greytown the wife of Mr E Becker of a daughter
Beddoes f 15-Jan-1876, 25-Jan-1876 at the Harbour Works, Point, Natal the wife of Gilbert Beddoes of a daughter
Behrens m 20-Jan-1876, 1-Feb-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr C G Behrens of a son
Bennett m 2-Sept-1876, 5-Sept-1876 at Pine Terrace, Durban the wife of Mr M Bennett of a son
Bennett f 6-Nov-1876, 14-Nov-1876 at Musgrave Road, Berea the wife of Mr Alfred Bennett of a daughter
Benson f 25-Jan-1876, 1-Feb-1876 at Durban the wife of Mr H Benson of a daughter
Berning f 12-Dec-1876, 15-Dec-1876 the wife of Mr W F Berning of a daughter
Blacomb m 30-Jan-1876, 8-Feb-1876 at Clifton, Nonoti the wife of Mr Inigo Blacomb of a son
Blamey f 31-May-1876, 9-June-1876 at Mount Prospect Estate, Umhloti the wife of J Roach Blamey of a daughter
Borland m 24-Oct-1876, 27-Oct-1876 at PMBurg Street the wife of Mr Archibald Borland of a son
Brackenbury m 13-May-1876, 30-June-1876 at Belmont House, Heavitree, Exeter, England. The wife of EF Blackenbury Esq. Royal Horse Artillery of a son
Bresler f 27-April-1876, 5-May-1876 at PMBurg, Mrs John Bresler of a daughter
Breuen/Breur m 1-April-1876, 11-April-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr RG Breuen/Breur of a son
Brickhill f 15-Mar-1876, 28-Mar-1876 at Murchison, Alfred County, the wife of Mr W Brickhill (junior) of a daughter
Brickhill m 3-Sept-1876, 12-Sept-1876 at Umsinga the wife of Mr James Alexander Brickhill of a son
Brokensha m 1-Sept-1876, 5-Sept-1876 at Smith Street (West) Durban the wife of Mr CF Brokensha of a son
Bronkhorst m 5-Sept-1876, 5-Sept-1876 at Estcourt the wife of Mr HS Bronkhorst of a son
Bru de Wold f 26-Jan-1876, 11-Feb-1876 at Otterbourne, Ifafa, the wife of Mr H T Bru De Wold of a daughter
Buckle m 9-Feb-1876, 11-Feb-1876 at Graft Nonoti, the wife of Mr WC Buckle of a son
Campbell f 2-June-1876, 16-June-1876 at Likkewater, Klip River County, Mrs David Campbell of a daughter
Campbell m 19-Sept-1876, 28-Sept-1876 at Estcourt, Mrs AH Campbell of a son
Carbutt m 26-Mar-1876, 31-Mar-1876 the wife of Mr Hugh Lancaster Carbutt of Kruisfontein, Klip river County of a son
Cato f 1-Jan-1876, 14-Jan-1876 at Church St. PMBurg, the wife of Mr CA Cato of a daughter
Christian f 20-Dec-1876, 29-Dec-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr Jas Christian of a daughter
Clark f 6-Oct-1876, 10-Oct-1876 at Pine Terrace, Durban the wife of Mr William Clark, (wagon builder) of a daughter
Clarkson m 4-Dec-1876, 15-Dec-1876 at Wentworth the wife of Mr R Clarkson of a son
Colenbrander f 13-June-1876, 20-June-1876 at Hummelo, Nonoti, Mrs Adrian Colenbrander of a daughter
Colenbrander f 12-Dec-1876, 19-Dec-1876 at Herwen, Mrs JA Colenbrander of a daughter
Collier m 11-Jan-1876, 25-Jan-1876 at Orange Grove Durban, the wife of Mr James Collier of a son
Conyngham f 27-July-1876, 8-Aug-1876 at the Ifafa Estate the wife of Mr JD Conynham of a daughter
Cooke f 22-Oct-1876, 7-Nov-1876 at Pine Terrace Durban, the wife of Mr Robert Cooke of a daughter
Cooper f 11-Jan-1876, 4-Feb-1876 at Morning Sun Biggarsberg, the wife of Mr Thomas Cooper of a daughter
Coutts m 23-April-1876, 28-April-1876 at West Street Durban the wife of Mr William Coutts of a son
Crathorne f 27-April-1876, 28-April-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr J Crathorne of a daughter
Craw f 17-Dec-1875, 14-Jan-1876 at Almodell, near PMBurg the wife of Mr J Craw of a daughter
Crawford m 30-April-1876, 5-May-1876 at Milden Hall, Russell Street Durban, the wife of Mr Alex Crawford of a son
Crookes m 20-Feb-1876, 3-Mar-1876 at Ellingham, Alexandra County the wife of Mr S Crookes of a son
Crowder m 2-June-1876, 6-June-1876 at the Beach, Durban the wife of Mr S Crowder of a son
Cruikshank f 20-Mar-1876, 4-April-1876 at Potchefstroom the wife of Mr John Cruikshank of Bamangwato of a daughter
Cuthbert m 21-July-1876, 28-July-1876 at Melsetter the wife of Sydney Cuthbert Esq. of a son
Dacomb m 6-Oct-1876, 10-Oct-1876 at the Berea, Mrs Dacomb of a son
Dalgetty m 8-Jan-1876, 18-Jan-1876 at the Berea, Durban the wife of Mr William Dalgetty of a son
Dalton m 18-Jan-1876, 25-Jan-1876 at Field Street, Durban the wife of Mr George Dalton of a son
Darby m 14-Oct-1876, 20-Oct-1876 on the Berea, Durban Mrs WH Darby of a son
De Haas m 1-Aug-1876, 15-Aug-1876 at Berg Street PMBurg the wife of Mr JW De Haas of a son
Deane m 2-Nov-1876, 10-Nov-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr William Deane of a son
Denby m 7-Oct-1876, 13-Oct-1876 at PMBurg Street, the wife of Mr G Denby of a son
Dicks m 15-Sept-1876, 6-Oct-1876 at Springvale, Newcastle, the wife of Mr G W Dicks of a son
Dimock f 16-Feb-1876, 25-Feb-1876 at Fountain Dale, near Newcastle the wife of Mr WJ Dimock of a daughter
Douglas m 30-Mar-1876, 4-April-1876 at Durban, Mrs Douglas of a son
Downs m 10-Nov-1876, 17-Nov-1876 at Richmond, the wife of Mr RP Downs of a son
Duckham m 24-Mar-1876, 11-April-1876 at Greytown the wife of Mr JW Duckham of a son
Duff m 6-Dec-1876, 22-Dec-1876 at Cundy Clough, Klip River the wife of Mr William Duff of a son
Erskine f 17-Nov-1876, 21-Nov-1876 Mrs ST. Vincent Eskine of a daughter
Evans f 15-May-1876, 26-May-1876 at Alderley, Springvale, the wife of Morgan J Evans of a daughter
Evans m 24-Aug-1876, 1-Sept-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr D Evans of a son
Evans m 20-Aug-1876, 5-Sept-1876 at Montpellier, Berea the wife of Mr WH Evans of a son
Fairall f 17-April-1876, 21-April-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr E Fairall of a daughter
Fairbrother f 19-April-1876, 25-April-1876 at Sea Cow Lake the wife of the Rev James Fairbrother of a daughter
Fannin m 5-Mar-1876, 7-Mar-1876 at PMBurg Mrs J E Fannin of a son
Field f 10-April-1876, 11-April-1876 at Durban the wife of Mr GH Field of a daughter
Findlay f 26-Mar-1876, 31-Mar-1876 at the Berea, Durban the wife of Mr Archibald Findlay of a daughter
Fitzsimmons m 2-April-1876, 4-April-1876 at Church St PMBurg the wife of Mr C Fitzsimmons of a son
Forder f 19-Sept-1876, 22-Sept-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr James Forder of a daughter
Forrest m 13-June-1876, 27-June-1876 at Congella, the wife of Mr James P Forrest of a son
Fraser f 21-Jan-1876, 4-Feb-1876 at Stryd Kraal M.W. Stroom Mrs David Fraser of a daughter
Freeman f 26-Nov-1876, 1-Dec-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr John Freeman of a daughter
Friggins f 15-Aug-1876, 22-Aug-1876 at Smith Street, Durban Mrs W Friggins of a daughter
Fynn f 29-April-1876, 9-May-1876 at Umzinga Mrs Henry F Fynn of a daughter
Gadsden m 18-July-1876, 28-July-1876 at the Bluff the wife of Mr Thomas A Gadsden of a son
Galliers m 2-Feb-1876, 8-Feb-1876 at Durban, Mrs Galliers of a son
Glyn f 28-Oct-1876, 31-Oct-1876 at Desart, the wife of CB Glyn Esq. of a daughter
Gold m 9-June-1876, 16-June-1876 at Highflats the wife of Mr Robert Gold of a son
Gold f 11-Sept-1876, 22-Sept-1876 at Highflats the wife of Mr William Gold of a daughter
Goldstone m 22-Oct-1876, 31-Oct-1876 at Durban the wife of Mr G Goldstone (junior) of a son
Goodwill f 24-Feb-1876, 7-Mar-1876 at Oakfield, PMBurg the wife of Mr LP Goodwill of a daughter
Goodwin m 18-Oct-1876, 27-Oct-1876 at Harding the wife of Mr Joseph Goodwin of a son
Gove f 5-Dec-1876, 12-Dec-1876 at Mount Pleasant, Sea Cow Lake, the wife of Mr A Gove of a daughter
Grant m 3-April-1876, 11-April-1876 at Tagosa Cottage, Stanger, the wife of Mr HA Grant of a son
Grant f 20-July-1876, 25-July-1876 at Mona Place, Durban the wife of Mr Grant of a daughter
Gray f 28-Oct-1876, 3-Nov-1876 at Gourton, Ulundi Mrs D Gray (junior) of a daughter
Hair m 19-Jan-1876, 25-Jan-1876 at Gretna Green Mooi River the wife of Mr Thomas Hair of a son
Hall m 5-Nov-1876, 10-Nov-1876 the wife of Mr a Hall of a son
Hampson m 6-Nov-1876, 21-Nov-1876 at Kimberley diamond Fields the wife of Mr JA Hampson of a son
Handley m 23-Nov-1876, 28-Nov-1876 at Hallcar, Greytown the wife of Mr Thomas Handley of a son
Harcourt f 17-Sep-1876, 22-Sept-1876 at Hilltop the wife of Mr Jos Harcourt of a daughter
Hardy f 15-June-1876, 27-June-1876 at Victoria Street, Durban the wife of S. Mr Hardy of a daughter
Harrison f 9-Sept-1876, 15-Sept-1876 at Durban the wife of Mr JR Harrison of a daughter
Hathorn f 10-Dec-1876, 12-Dec-1876 at 7 Loop Street, PMBurg the wife of Mr Fergus A Hathorn of a daughter
Hawksworth m 15-Jan-1876, 25-Jan-1876 at Equeefa Vale Hawkwood, Alexandra, Mrs Hawksworth of a son
Hayes f 13-Feb-1876, 22-Feb-1876 at the Mission House, Ladysmith the wife of the Rev R Hayes of a daughter
Henwood m 15-June-1876, 27-June-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr W Henwood of a son
Hime m 26-April-1876, 28-April-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Captain AH Hime, Royal Engineers, of a son
Hodgkins m 31-July-1876, 4-Aug-1876 at Burger Street, PMBurg the wife of Mr John Hodgkins of a son
Hodgson m 14-Mar-1876, 19-May-1876 at Weston, Mooi River, Mrs William Hodgson of a son
Holden m 31-Aug-1876, 5-Sept-1876 at Warley Place the wife of Mr JN Holden of a son
Holliday f 20-Dec-1876, 29-Dec-1876 the wife of Mr GT Holliday of a daughter
Horne f 9-July-1876, 14-July-1876 at Little Grey Street Durban, the wife of Mr DBA Horne of a daughter
Horton m 19-Nov-1876, 24-Nov-1876 at Pinetown, the wife of Mr E Horton of a son
Houghton m 15-June-1876, 27-June-1876 at Durban the wife of Mr HN Houghton of a son
Howe m 8-Dec-1876, 15-Dec-1876 at Howecastle, Stanger, the wife of Mr John Howe of a son
Hunter f 16-Oct-1876, 31-Oct-1876 the wife of the Rev W E Hunter of a son
Hutchinson f 30-July-1876, 1-Aug-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr J K Hutchinson of a daughter
Innes f 11-Jan-1876, 25-Jan-1876 at Blarerne Klip river County, the wife of Simpson Mitchell Innes of a daughter
James f 1-Mar-1876, 7-Mar-1876 at London House, Mrs William James (junior) of a daughter
Johnson m 5-Oct-1876, 24-Oct-1876 at West Street, Durban the wife of Mr IY Johnson of a son
Jones f 27-Jan-1876, 4-Feb-1876 at the Berea, Mrs James Jones W of a daughter
Jones f 20-Aug-1876, 25-Aug-1876 at Victoria Street Durban, the wife of Mr George Jones of a daughter
Jones m 27-Oct-1876, 10-Nov-1876 at Sand Spruit, Wakkerstroom, the wife of Mr Robert James Jones of a son
Juckes m 27-Nov-1876, 5-Dec-1876 at Durban, the wife of Mr A Juckes of a son
Keit f 20-Aug-1876, 1-Sept-1876 at Botanic Gardens Durban Mrs William Keit of a daughter
Kember m 20-Jan-1876, 4-Feb-1876 at Stryd Kraal M.W. Stroom Mrs C Kember of a son
Kershaw f 17-Jan-1876, 21-Jan-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr a W Kershaw of a daughter
Kirby m 20-Feb-1876, 25-Feb-1876 at Greytown the wife of Mr HE Kirby of a son
Kisch f 22-Oct-1876, 27-Oct-1876 at Durban the wife of Mr B Kisch of a daughter
Knox f 20-Jan-1876, 25-Jan-1876 at Ambleside House, Umzinto, the wife of Charles Knox of a daughter
Koster m 7-Mar-1876, 14-Mar-1876 at Nijketh, near New Guilderland, Mrs H Koster of a son
Lamb f 30-Dec-1875, 17-Mar-1876 at Lakelands, LeFroy, Canada the wife of JGM Lamb Esq. of a daughter
Lean m 14-Aug-1876,19-Sept-1876 at Glencairn Estate, Blackburn, Mrs FH Lean of a son
Leech m 4-Aug-1876, 18-Aug-1876 at Winburg, Orange Free State the wife of JR Leech M.D. of a son
Legg m 4-May-1876, 9-May-1876 at Russell Street Durban, Mrs GA Legg of a son
Lello m 4-Dec-1876, 22-Dec-1876 at Wentworth the wife of Mr W Lello of a son
Loram f 28-Mar-1876, 31-Mar-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr AE Loram of a daughter
Lovett f 5-Feb-1876, 11-Feb-1876 at West Street Durban the wife of Mr H Lovett of a daughter
Lumsden f 24-Sept-1876, 28-Sept-1876 at Montpellier, Berea, the wife of Mr DA Lumsden of a daughter
Lutman m 16-Oct-1876, 10-Nov-1876 at the Isipingo, the wife of Mr a Lutman of a son
Lyle f 15-May-1876, 19-May-1876 at PMBurg Tannery, the wife of Mr A Lyle of a daughter
Manisty f 17-Mar-1876, 28-Mar-1876 at Thorndean, Berea the wife of JF Manisty Esq. of a daughter
Mann m 3-Feb-1876, 8-Feb-1876 at Durban the wife of the Rev W H Mann of a son
Manners m 1-Jan-1876, 17-Mar-1876 at Eversley Cross, Winchfield, Hants, the wife of Edward Manners of a son
Mare f 3-Sept-1876, 12-Sept-1876 at New Howick the wife of Mr William Mare of a daughter
Markham f 2-May-1876, 5-May-1876 the Wife of the Rev. Mr Markham of a daughter
Marshall m 24-July-1876, 4-Aug-1876 at Cleveland, Biggarsberg, the wife of Mr Robert Marshall of a son
Mason f 15-Jan-1876, 25-Jan-1876 at Condelia near Durban the wife of Mr Robert Monk Mason of a daughter
Maxwell m 16-May-1876, 23-May-1876 at New Guelderland the wife of Mr James Maxwell of a son
McAlister m 12-Nov-1876, 17-Nov-1876 at Glen Isley, PMBurg the wife of Mr R McAlister of a son
McCubbin m 4-Feb-1876, 8-Feb-1876 at Smith St Durban Mrs T McCubbin of a son
McKenzie f 15-Sept-1876, 28-Sept-1876 at Underwood, Mrs RA McKenzie of Richmond of a daughter
Metcalf m 16-April-1876, 25-April-1876 at Government Sugar Mill, Umvoti the wife of Mr AT Metcalf of a son
Milne m 25-Mar-1876, 4-April-1876 at Rie Hill Cottage, Berea, Durban, the wife of Mr Andrew Milne of a son
Morling m 18-Feb-1876, 25-Feb-1876 at Smith Street Durban the wife of Mr A Morling of a son
Muir f 30-April-1876, 12-May-1876 at Howick Mrs I Muir of a daughter
Muirhead f 7-June-1876, 13-June-1876 at Hermansburg, the wife of Mr John Muirhead of a daughter
Murchie m 5-Nov-1876, 10-Nov-1876 Mrs A Murchie of a son
Nicolai f 15-Jan-1876, 25-Jan-1876 at the Lower Illovo the wife of Mr C Nicolai of a daughter
Odell m 30-Mar-1876, 21-April-1876 at Harrismith, Orange Free State, the wife of Mr HT Odell of a son
Oliver m 14-April-1876, 25-April-1876 at Verulam the wife of Mr Isaac Oliver of a son
Otto f 4-Aug-1876, 15-Aug-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr A Otto of a daughter
Pagan f 25-Feb-1876, 14-Mar-1876 at Heidelberg, Transvaal, the wife of Mr John Pagan of a daughter
Palmer f 11-June-1876, 16-June-1876 the wife of William Palmer of Durban of a daughter
Palmer f 2-Aug-1876, 8-Aug-1876 at Howick the wife of Mr Charles J Palmer of a daughter
Parker f 11-Nov-1876, 14-Nov-1876 at The Ferns, Longmarket Street, PMBurg the wife of Mr Hugh Parker of a daughter
Payne m 24-June-1876, 30-June-1876 at Musgrave Road, the wife of Mr George Payne of a son
Penington m 11-July-1876, 25-July-1876 at the Umbilo the wife of Mr R Penington of a son
Phipson m 12-June-1876, 16-June-1876 at Bishopstowe Mrs Martin F Phipson of a son
Phipson m 28-Aug-1876, 1-Sept-1876 at Smith Street, Durban the wife of Mr T Phipson (junior) of a son
Pickering m 12-Mar-1876, 21-Mar-1876 at Durban Mrs E Pickering of a son
Plant m 22-Sept-1876, 3-Oct-1876 at Verulam the wife of Mr R Plant of a son
Platt f+f 14-Sept-1876, 19-Sept-1876 at the Syringa's, Berea, the wife of Mr EA Platt of twin daughters
Plowright f 5-Jan-1876, 14-Jan-1876 at Durban the wife of Mr Walter Plowright of a daughter
Pocklington m 30-Mar-1876, 7-April-1876 the Wife of R J Pocklington of a son
Potterill m 7-July-1876, 14-July-1876 the wife of Mr F Potterill of a son
Proksch m 21-Aug-1876, 25-Aug-1876 at Dresden Cottage, West Street East, Durban the wife of Mr F Proksch of a son
Pullock m 22-Oct-1876, 31-Oct-1876 at Addington the wife of Mr G Pullock of a son
Quicke m 17-Nov-1876, 24-Nov-1876 at Umzinto to the wife of Mr George B Quicke of a son
Radford m 28-Feb-1876, 3-Mar-1876 at Mowbray, Town Hill the wife of W Radford of a son
Randles m 10-Jan-1876, 18-Jan-1876 at Woodlands, Sydenham the wife of Mr W Randles of a son
Randles m 5-Aug-1876, 11-Aug-1876 at Woodlands, Sydenham the wife of Mr Jas. Randles of Ladysmith of a son
Raw f 18-Aug-1876, 22-Aug-1876,At PMBurg the wife of Mr RH Raw of a daughter
Rawlinson f 7-Nov-1876, 14-Nov-1876 at Groot Riet Valle near Greytown, the wife of RW Rawlinson of a daughter
Remon m 16-Nov-1876, 24-Nov-1876 at Melchbourne Cottage, Umgeni Road, the wife of Mr E Remon of a son
Richmond m 29-Mar-1876, 31-Mar-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr FG Richmond of a son
Ridgway f 19-Aug-1876, 25-Aug-1876 at Prince Alfred Street. Durban the wife of Mr R Ridgway of a daughter
Robinson f 3-April-1876, 7-April-1876 at the Gables, St Andrew Street Durban, the wife of J Robinson M.L.C. of a daughter
Robinson f 8-Nov-1876, 14-Nov-1876 at the Parsonage Pinetown, the wife of the Rev T E Robinson of a daughter
Root f 24-July-1876, 18-Aug-1876 at the Umkomazi, near Boston the wife of Mr John Root of a daughter
Rowles m 29-May-1876, 30-May-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr WB Rowles of a son
Roy m 22-Mar-1876, 30-May-1876 at Addington, Mrs James Roy of a son
Royston m 30-July-1876, 4-Aug-1876 at the foot of the Berea, the wife of Mr JF Royston of a son
Runciman f 17-Aug-1876, 22-Aug-1876 at PMBurg, Mrs Runciman of a daughter
Saker m 15-May-1876, 19-May-1876 at Mount Moreland, Umhloti, county of Victoria, the wife of GW Saker (junior) of a son
Schenk m 8-Aug-1876, 15-Aug-1876 at Victoria Street, Durban the wife of Mr Shenk of a son
Sell m 26-July-1876, 1-Aug-1876 at Umbilo Road, the wife of Mr RH Sell of a son
Serridge f 31-July-1876, 8-Aug-1876 at Addington the wife of Mr George Serridge of a daughter
Seymour f 10-Sept-1876, 10-Oct-1876 at Newcastle, Natal, the wife of Mr John Seymour of a daughter
Seymour m 7-Oct-1876, 20-Oct-1876 the wife of Mr C Seymour of a son
Shaw m 2-July-1876, 4-July-1876 at Clarendon Saw Mill the wife of Walter T Shaw of a son
Shears m 31-May-1876, 16-June-1876 at Howick the wife of the Rev Ernest H Shears of a son
Shepstone f 29-June-1876, 4-July-1876 at Greytown the wife of John Wesley Shepstone Esq. Resident Magistrate of a daughter
Simpson m 13-Aug-1876, 18-Aug-1876 at 18 Burger Street the wife of Mr William H Simpson of a son
Singer m 9-Sept-1876, 22-Sept-1876 at Langspruit, district Bethlehem, Orange Free State the wife of Mr EH Singer of a son
Sink m 1-Jan-1876, 7-Jan-1876 at Richmond the wife of Mr W Sink of a son
Skottowe m 16-May-1876, 19-May-1876 at Currey's Hotel, Houdboschrand, the wife of Mr WR Skottowe of a son
Smith f 5-Feb-1876, 11-Feb-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr Robert Cullen Smith of a daughter
Smith f 8-Oct-1876, 13-Oct-1876 at Bulgray, Dundee the wife of Mr W Craighead Smith of a daughter
Stafford f 16-Feb-1876, 25-Feb-1876 at Clydesdale, Upper Umzimkulu the wife of Mr GP Stafford of a daughter
Stanton f 17-Aug-1876, 22-Aug-1876 at the Berea the wife of J W Stanton of a daughter
Starkey f 16-Nov-1876, 24-Nov-1876 at the Umgeni, the wife of Mr Z Starkey of a daughter
Starr f 4-Sept-1876, 19-Sept-1876 at Buckhurst Estate, near Verulam the wife of Mr W Starr of a daughter
Steward f 23-May-1876, 2-June-1876 at Lambhill, the wife of Mr James Steward of a daughter
Stewart f 17-April-1876, 24-April-1876 at Wetherley, Sinquasi the wife of Mr G Stewart of a daughter
Stewart m 8-Sept-1876, 15-Sept-1876 at PMBurg Mrs Stewart of St Augustin's Mission, Mooi river of a son
Stoffels m 9-Aug-1876, 19-Sept-1876 at Stoffelsville, Sikisiki, Pondoland Mrs HE Stoffels of a son
Straker f 24-Jan-1876, 1-Feb-1876 at St George's Street Durban the wife of Mr EH Straker of a daughter
Sunkel m 21-June-1876, 30-June-1876 at Wilhelmsche, Ifafa the wife of Mr CP Sunkel of a son
Talbot m 13-Feb-1876, 11-Feb-1876 at PMBurg Mrs C Talbot of a son
Tanner m 4-April-1876, 11-April-1876 at Heilbron, Orange Free State, the wife of Mr VH Tanner of a son
Tatham m 27-Dec-1876, 29-Dec-1876 at PMBurg Mrs Robert B Tatham of a son
Taylor f 10-Feb-1876, 11-Feb-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr Joseph Taylor of a daughter
Taylor m 29-April-1876, 5-May-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr William Taylor of Fordown of a son
Taylor f 24-May-1876, 13-June-1876 at Sutherland Vale, Mooi River, the wife of Mr RC Taylor of a daughter
Taylor m 1-Oct-1876, 3-Oct-1876 at 21 Church Street, the wife of Mr Thomas H Taylor of a son
Taynton m 27-Feb-1876, 7-April-1876 at Karkloof the wife of J E Taynton of a son
Thompson f 18-July-1876, 21-July-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr J Boag Thompson of a daughter
Thomson f 12-Nov-1876, 24-Nov-1876 at Harrismith, Orange Free State, the wife of Mr W Burns Thomson of a daughter
Thring f 9-Mar-1876, 28-Mar-1876 at Ashley Hill the wife of Mr F Thring of a daughter
Tipper m 15-June-1876, 27-June-1876 at Ladysmith the wife of Mr Alfred Tipper of a son
Togwell m 15-April-1876, 5-May-1876 the wife of Mr Edward Togwell of a son
Tomsett f 7-Dec-1876, 15-Dec-1876 at Heilbron, Orange Free State, the wife of Mr W F Tomsett of a daughter
Toomey f 8-Mar-1876, 30-May-1876 at the Point, the wife of Mr T Toomey of a daughter
Tuffield f 16-April-1876, 18-April-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr Richard Tuffield of a daughter
Tuffield f 16-April-1876, 21-April-1876 at PMBurg the wife of Mr R Tuffield of a daughter
Tunmer m 2-Dec-1876, 8-Dec-1876 at Durban the wife of Mr G G Tunmer of a son
Turnbull f 1-Mar-1876, 14-Mar-1876 at PMBurg the wfe of J W Turnbull BA Barrister at Law of a daughter
Turner f 16-Oct-1876, 20-Oct-1876 at Willbrook, Estcourt the wife of Mr Edward J Turner of a daughter
Turner m+f 23-Nov-1876, 28-Nov-1876 at Camperdown the wife of Mr James Turner of twins (son and daughter)
Turpin f 14-Mar-1876, 17-Mar-1876 at Bishoptowe, Mrs Phillip Turpin of a daughter
Turton f 11-Dec-1876, 22-Dec-1876 at Pilgrim's Rest the wife of Mr John Turton of a daughter
Twyman f 5-Oct-1876, 20-Oct-1876 at Mooi Plaats, Biggarsberg, the wife of Mr J Edwin Twyman of a daughter
Urquhart f 10-Nov-1876, 1-Dec-1876 at Glenurquhart, Klip river the wife of Hector Urquhart of a daughter
Velkoop f 23-June-1876, 30-June-1876 at Addington, Mrs Velkoop of a daughter
Vincent m 28-Oct-1876, 3-Nov-1876 at the Point, the wife of Mr RC Vincent of a son
Visick m 8-Mar-1876, 14-Mar-1876 at the Berea the wife of Mr RC Visick of a son
Wakefield m 28-Sept-1876, 6-Oct-1876 at the Berea the wife of Mr Albert Wakefield of a son
Wallace m 27-May-1876, 6-June-1876 at Tarville, Little Umhlanga, the wife of Mr HU Wallace of a son
Waller m 27-Oct-1876, 3-Nov-1876 at Montpelier, Berea the wife of Mr JP Waller of a son
Wallis f 15-Aug-1876, 25-Aug-1876 at Durban the wife of Mr HB Wallis of a daughter
Warren f 15-Dec-1876, 22-Dec-1876 at Tongaat the wife of Mr H Warren of a daughter
Warwick f 17-July-1876, 18-July-1876,The wife of Mr E Warwick of a daughter
Waterhouse f 27-Feb-1876, 5-May-1876 at Hillside, Cotham, Briston, England, the wife of the Rev. S Waterhouse of a daughter
Watson m 18-Feb-1876, 25-Feb-1876 the wife of Mr George Watson (Superintendent of Government Brickyard) of a son
Waugh f 28-Mar-1876, 11-April-1876 at Victoria Village, Tongaat the wife of Mr James Waugh of a daughter
West m 14-June-1876, 20-June-1876 at Richmond, Illovo the wife of Mr J West of a son
Wheeler m 23-Oct-1876, 27-Oct-1876 at the Hermitage, Durban the wife of Mr Walter W Wheeler of a son
Wheelwright m 7-July-1876, 14-July-1876 at the Parsonage, Addington, the wife of Mr WD Wheelwright R.M. Ulundi of a son
White m 14-April-1876, 28-April-1876 at the Green Hill York, the wife of Mr John White of a son
Willis m 23-Feb-1876, 17-Mar-1876 at Prospect Hall Mrs Robert Willis of a son
Willis m 6-Mar-1876, 17-Mar-1876 at Prospect Hall Mrs James Willis of a son
Winter f 22-Mar-1876, 24-Mar-1876 at Berg Street, PMBurg, the wife of HD Winter of Bushman's River, Weenen County of a daughter
Witt f 27-June-1876, 4-July-1876 at Greytown the wife of the Rev Peter Otto Hojer/Holjer Witt (Swedish Mission) of a daughter
Wolhuter m 28-Mar-1876, 31-Mar-1876 at the farm Waterfall County Umvoti Mrs P M Wolhuter of a son
Wood m 4-Mar-1876, 21-April-1876,D P Wood of a son
Wood f 9-May-1876, 12-May-1876 at Clairmont House, Clairemont, the wife of BH Wood of a daughter
Wooly m 4-Nov-1876, 14-Nov-1876 at Lower Umzimkulu the wife of Mr R H Wooley JP
Wynne f 8-Mar-1876, 14-Mar-1876 at the Parsonage, Harrismith, Orange Free State the wife of the Rev. William Wynne of a daughter
Zeeman f 14-Dec-1876, 19-Dec-1876 on the Berea, Durban the wife of Mr JCG Zeeman of a daughter

Saturday, November 17, 2012

This steamer of Donald Currie’s Line sailed from London for Natal on 26 October 1880, carrying 15 recruits for the Natal Mounted Police. All the men were single; their ages are given, as well as their previous occupations.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

During the 1880s, the extension of the railways was a matter of life and death to the commercial interests of Natal. The first railway, from the Point to the Umgeni, was incorporated into the new Natal Government Railways. The line to Pietermaritzburg was opened officially on 1 December 1880. The Inchanga Viaduct had been completed in July of that year.

Construction commenced on the section beyond Pietermaritzburg in 1883, Howick being reached in 1884, then Estcourt 1885, Ladysmith 1886 and Charlestown (the Transvaal border) opened 7 April 1891.

For more details, see The Birth & Development of the Natal Railways by E D Campbell, (Shuter & Shooter PMB 1951).

The Colony of Natal: An Official Illustrated Handbook & Railway Guide by J Forsyth Ingram (Sir Joseph Causton & Sons London 1895) has a good map of the Natal railway system at that date including details of agricultural production in each area.

Railway workers of varying levels of skill were imported from Britain specifically for the development of the Natal rail network. The selected lists below show contingents of platelayers* ‘engaged by the Crown Agents for service on Natal Government Railways’ and brought out, most with their families, in 1885 on these and other vessels. The date shown is that of arrival at Natal and where not otherwise stated all were accompanied by wives and in some cases, children.

Some of the passengers' names shown here appear in the Natal Civil Service Lists, giving clues as to their later careers. It’s evident that many of them settled permanently in Natal.

*A platelayer fastens or repairs fastenings on railway lines. The term derives from the rectangular metal plates that bolt or rivet the ends of the lines to each other so joining the expansion gap that causes the familiar clickety-click as the train wheels pass over them. The plate is known as a fish-plate.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Central West Street, Durban circa 1902 showing double-decker horse-drawn tram and rickshas. The clock tower of the then City Hall (now main Post Office, built 1885) can be seen above other buildings at left. The present City Hall was yet to be built (1910): on its site was the Market Square, see treed area opposite the present Post Office. Rickshas came into use in Durban in 1893, electric trams in 1902.

Later ... a view from the opposite direction:

In this postcard the (rear of the) new City Hall is shown at left, dating the picture to post-1910. The old City Hall (now Post Office) is at right in the middle distance. Note the double-decker electric tram in West Street.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

This painting shows Port Natal as my ancestor Thomas Alfred Gadsden would have known it in the 1870's.

Seen are the Bluff with its new lighthouse at the seaward end and the path by which materials were conveyed for construction of the lighthouse. In the bay are numerous vessels, both sail and steam.

The tug Pioneer trails black smoke as she steams out of the entrance towards a larger vessel in the roadstead. To the left chugs the little locomotive of the Natal Railway Company, white smoke emerging from its funnel. An ox-wagen trundles along the road in the middle distance.

Buildings cluster together in the town, and the green vegetation of the Berea, then 'a pleasant wooded hill', is in the foreground, with well-observed details of colonial life at the time. One gets the distinct impression that Mr Currie has just stepped out of the picture and will return shortly to take tea and resume his viewing by telescope of the fascinating panorama spread out below.

[Painting in collection of the Local History Museum, Old Court House, Durban]